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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think we don’t want driverless taxis?

242 replies

Burnedbyquestions · 03/09/2026 07:41

Driverless Ubers now bookable in London - as a pedestrian I would not feel safer knowing cars are driverless and as a taxi passenger I want to support humans to have a livelihood, not increase numbers on benefits and give Uber more profits. Surely most people agree? Appreciate taxi drivers need tighter controls after all the sex attack and intimidation problems but I don’t think driverless anything is the solution.
If taxis were that cheap what would happen to buses/trains? The roads would be clogged up with individual passengers in cars instead - I can’t see the point of them.

OP posts:
TotaleclipseinFrance · 03/09/2026 07:58

I just read this story and instinctively my stomach flipped.

I couldn't imagine being driven about by a driverless car.

I don't think I could do it.

I haven't given much thought to much else about it.
Just no human in charge of it. Ugh.

Imagine one of these things on a motorway.

I can't be the only one who thinks hell no!

Original poster
Burnedbyquestions · 03/09/2026 07:58

Is there an issue with taxi drivers” driving then? Maybe they need higher driving qualifications to get a taxi licence? I know the licensing process is really inconsistent as eg. Wolverhampton council charge way less than elsewhere - does that need to be overhauled so only careful considerate non sex attacking drivers can have taxis?
We need to save lives but imo saving jobs is saving lives - we’re creating a future of unemployed screen addicts with nothing to do but scroll online and claim benefits - that seems highly dangerous to me for all sorts of reasons - TikTok dangerous driving videos, terrorism, child rape porn all fed by boredom and jobless hopeless men and boys seeking thrills. Devil makes work for idle hands - we need to keep people in jobs!

OP posts:
LarryForPrimeMinister · 03/09/2026 07:57

I don't trust them. It only takes a faulty one to crash.

backformoreofthesame · 03/09/2026 07:55

It’s not just putting people out of work, it’s removing social interactions and human contact and making us ever more lonely and isolated.

SpanThatWorld · 03/09/2026 07:54

About 30% of working class men are in jobs which are predominantly driving. Like mines and steelworks, those jobs are going to be history.

But yeah, as a single woman, I'd rather be alone with a computer than a man who's been driving round for 12 hours or whose attitude to women may be questionable.

PerkingFaintly · 03/09/2026 07:53

I'm a wheelchair user.

I can't use a taxi without assistance from the driver, who folds the wheelchair and loads it in the boot along with my bags.

RidiculousCar · 03/09/2026 07:51

it is a shame it will end up putting drivers out of work but that’s just the way it works unfortunately, new technology will always change industries and put somebody out of work

@NarnianQueen Will you be saying the same when it’s your job that is replaced, so that the billionaires can make even more money?

Raptors · 03/09/2026 07:51

I definitely don't want driverless taxis. No matter how much they have been tested all technology is fallible. Whilst people can make mistakes, in an emergency a person in charge of a vehicle can react to unexpected circumstances, I wouldn't have the same trust in a machine.

toastofthetown · 03/09/2026 07:51

Last time I was in an Uber we were pulled over by the police because the driver was driving so recklessly. Driverless can’t be worse

Nyaxia · 03/09/2026 07:50

I see your point about taxi drivers losing their income but I’m afraid that it’s coming inevitably and holding back the tide just doesn’t happen. Like AI driverless cars are going to change employment- delivery drivers and taxis are going to be the first to be hit.

i do wonder if it will eventually revolutionise road safety. No more human error could save a lot of lives

UniquePinkSwan · 03/09/2026 07:49

I do. Can’t wait until they are here

NarnianQueen · 03/09/2026 07:48

For women I think they’d be safer than getting into an uber

it is a shame it will end up putting drivers out of work but that’s just the way it works unfortunately, new technology will always change industries and put somebody out of work

B9waiting · 03/09/2026 07:48

I agree @Smartiepants79- we were recently in LA & used them multiple times there. Felt very safe & much better than some dodgy uber drivers we experienced.

Smartiepants79 · 03/09/2026 07:46

Having been in one in San Francisco I have to say it felt perfectly safe. These things have been tested and tested. Putting people
out of work is a different concern but the safety aspect is as good as any tired taxi driver.

Theunamedcat · 03/09/2026 07:46

I saw one the other week in London it looked a bit roapy stuttering on the road there were people everywhere im not sure it was coping

PullTheBricksDown · 03/09/2026 07:44

Agree. I don't want to see this happen to the industry and wouldn't trust it.

purpleme12 · 03/09/2026 07:43

Wow

The thought of it makes me feel really disconcerted